Hearts With a Mission, a youth shelter organization requesting $26,000 in government funds to finish out 2017, turned down a $3000 donation that was gifted to them by the Portland Gay Men’s Chorus, after PGMC raised the funds during a sold-out concert.

And a couple years ago, UN Women embarked on their partnership with Uber. The goal of the initiative was to create one million Uber jobs for women by the year 2020, thereby increasing female economic empowerment globally. But less than two weeks later, UN Women ended the partnership.

Why did the gift refusals (and the demise of the corporate partnership) happen? The donations were generous, and that’s a great thing for any nonprofit on the receiving end, right?

It’s not that simple.

Black Girls Code viewed Uber’s “generous gift” as a PR stunt. Founder Kimberly Bryant expressed her belief that the gift in question was a “tone-deaf response to Uber’s diversity issues,” rather than a move grounded in the genuine effort of inspiring change. Uber’s gift came off as patronizing, in line with the idea that putting a hefty sum of money on the table is a cure-all for the kinds of problems that are insidious, cultural, and layered.

UN Women initially teamed up with Uber to create positive change for women, but after International Transport Federation published an open letter criticizing the relationship, expressing that the initiative, while good-intentioned, would inevitably disempower rather than empower, UN Women sat up, listened, and acted swiftly.

In yet another instance of women-driven nonprofits choosing women first, or in this particular case, choosing girls first, Girl Scouts’ Western Washington branch returned a $100,000 donation to its rightful owner due to a stipulation that the funds not be used to support transgender girls. “Girl Scouts is for every girl,” explained Chief Executive Megan Ferland. In the end, GSWW refused to compromise this intrinsic aspect of their identity and their work.

Hearts With a Mission, despite espousing an accessibility to all eligible youth in Jackson County, Oregon, is a faith-based organization, and didn’t want to “be identified with” a gay men’s chorus. Director Kevin Lamson admitted that their refusal of the $3000 gift, despite being over $25,000 in need, had to do with “public perception.” Mmmkay…

What is the point of sharing these stories with you? To illustrate an important point. Does your organization have a gift acceptance policy? If not, then they certainly should. The need for this is strong, and it is also heavily rooted in your identity.

Who are you?

What kind of wonderful work do you do?

How do you make that wonderful work possible?

Who benefits from your work?

What is your mission?

Where are you located?

What are the funds for in particular, if a designation has been made?

These are some of the most obvious questions that should share a role in creating your gift acceptance policy filter.

For awhile now, I’ve known it’s not all about the money for you. It wasn’t all about the money for these organizations, either. You want to not only do the best work you possibly can, you want to stay true to your values. Because who you are, what you do, and how you do it are interconnected. And these elements are often deeply rooted in not only your donors’ motivations but within their relationships with you. And that’s a critical thing worth protecting. Be keenly aware, careful, and considerate of that. Don’t squander it. Because a lot of the time, it comes down and back around to one thing.

This makes clear an important point. When most charities begin they likely don’t have a gift acceptance policy and likely are more focused on their mission and getting donations than thinking about these sort of issues. Your post helps emphasize the need to think about whether it is wise and right to accept all gifts and what the organizations policy should be and making sure that this is consistent with its values.

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Raves for Pamela

First of all, your Grow Report is absolutely fantastic. It has not only educated me – it’s made me laugh too! Not to mention, the personal side of it is SO appreciated (especially since most of the reports I receive are so robotic and too serious – it’s enlightening to read something that presents valuable information in a fun way! Who says fundraising and grant writing can’t be fun?). So, THANK YOU.

I just really wanted to say thank you because you’ve helped me find a little bit of footing…

Christina Durante, KCCDD, Director of Development

I am new to fund development, stewardship giving and donations. The person I am replacing has been in the CEO/President role for 26 years. Our donors are very tied to giving to her, not the cause. The first thing I started to do was to call each donor to thank them and introduce myself to them as each check came in. (We are very small!) I want them to get to know me and the work that we are doing. Response has been wonderful.
Thank you for sharing your years of wisdom and insight. As a newbie…

Cheryl Melendez, Executive Director, Gospel Literature International

“We hit our Year-End fundraising goal and still have 2 weeks left! We implemented everything we learned in the webinars. Feeling so proud — best $250 ever spent!”

Lyndsey Butcher, SHORE Centre from Planned Parenthood Waterloo Region

“Last fiscal year we had our best year ever. We reached out to lapsed donors and also segmented the database for our annual appeal. The result was a 15% increase in the number of supporters (I currently prefer the word ‘supporter’ to ‘donor’) who gave to our organization.

I had great success with the last course I took with you. My first end-of-year appeal campaign (sent mid December, a 4 page letter and lots of ‘yous’:) came in 38% higher than the previous year so far! And envelopes are still coming in. Very exciting.

Margo Reveil, Cook Inletkeeper

Last week, I received my first $100,000 gift. I have such great stories to tell about the good work we do. It’s easy to be passionate when you’re doing what you love. I really received the reigns of the foundation in late October. Since then, I have raised nearly $325,000. My annual appeal was very successful. Using your book, webinars, classes, etc. I am moving forward nicely!

Teri Donaldson, Executive Director, The Futures Foundation

“I have thoroughly enjoyed and greatly benefited from all of the valuable classes you have offered! You are an amazing support for small nonprofits and I share your website with other nonprofit friends that I meet.”

Renee Scott, Executive Director, Gilead House

Simple Development Systems is absolutely easy to use, easy to understand and covers all of the topics I’ve had to self-teach myself in an organization with no dedicated development staff.

Caroline Tillier, Seattle, WA

“Programs like yours take some of the fear away and remind me that all progress is incremental and I just have to take it step by step.

Thank you so much for being there with the information that I need when I need it. You do important work and I appreciate you very much. What you do makes a big difference in the world by empowering people like me to reach our potential and help our communities.”

Jessica L. Lloyd-Rogers

Pamela I really enjoy your weekly updates and blog. With a small budget and a smaller development budget you have truly made a difference in the nonprofit arena as we share your tidbits and highlights with our members. Thank you.

Kim Lynch, Nonprofit Resource Center

“I just purchased your year-end fundraising course and it’s incredible! And this is coming from a person who took SEIU’s PAC from 9.2 million to 21.5 million in 24 months. You are just incredible!”

Hayden L. Mora

“Last week, I received my first $100,000 gift. I have such great stories to tell about the good work we do. It’s easy to be passionate when you’re doing what you love.I do not have any staff and my board has set a goal for me of $1 million by December 31, 2014. I really received the reigns of the foundation in late October. Since then, I have raised nearly $325,000. My annual appeal was very successful. Using your book, webinars, classes, etc. I am moving forward nicely! As your emails alw…

Teri Donaldson, Executive Director, The Futures Foundation

“I am so thrilled to say we are having an INCREDIBLE year. Typically, the first 6 months of our fiscal year are…tight (to say the least). However, we’re already about 60% of the way toward our total income goal for the fiscal year. Thank you for all that you do. As I have navigated the vastly complex world of fundraising, you have been a steady, strong, and thoughtful guiding force. You’re my go-to guru!”

“I signed up for probably a dozen online blogs and newsletters. Yours is the only one to stay in my inbox! I feel it’s most relevant to me, my new role and our small organization. Thanks for all the helpful information.”

DeAnna Marler, The Joshua School

I am newer to the development field (after a 20 year Human Resources run) and I find it rewarding and fascinating.
Your book helped me to feel good that I am putting my efforts into the right places. Gratitude is the starting point of all generosity. I loved your calendar for stewardship and will use it to enhance my quarterly work plan efforts.
I really enjoy your newsletter. Thank you for all your efforts and good information.

Heidi Mayer, Lutheran Home Foundation

“I get so many emails…..yours is one of the few that I try to read from beginning to end and even click on many of the links for more information and inspiration.”

Kathy McHenry, Executive Director, South Dakota Synod

Thank you for your clear instruction and useful insight on writing grants. The webinar was very helpful and the materials you included with the course were excellent!”

Katie Winniford Dallas, TX

“Warm, personal, real…love that you do the legwork to read the blogs and pass along the best. I’m not really in a “small shop” but since I train our 900 campus staff to do fund development the different approaches and ways to communicate the basic stuff in a new way is really helpful.”

“THANK YOU… for being the wind beneath my wings. These words seem so inadequate to express my gratitude for all that you have taught me this past year. I hope this story paints a more eloquent picture.
Your emails are a blessing. I receive many from well-known CFRE gurus but NONE are as useful as yours. Most are content marketing pieces aimed at selling ebooks, Webinars, or expertise. Yours, on the other hand, have one simple goal — empowering people to raise money for causes they are pass…

Rachel Ramjattan, Special Projects Coordinator, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Miami, Inc.

Thank you again for The Grow Report. It is one of the many nonprofit marketing and fundraising newsletters I receive. However, it is one that I can consistently count on for ah-ha moments.

Rozz Beckman, Development Director, WasteCap Nebraska

“I am so thrilled to say we are having an INCREDIBLE year. Typically, the first 6 months of our fiscal year are…tight (to say the least). However, we’re already about 60% of the way toward our total income goal for the fiscal year.

Thank you for all that you do. As I have navigated the vastly complex world of fundraising, you have been a steady, strong, and thoughtful guiding force. You’re my go-to guru!”

“You are a delightful speaker. For an introvert, you were a wealth of information! Thank you for being so generous with your resources. I will be using them for the YWCA Great Falls – and am leaving this workshop inspired!”

Sandi Filipowicz, Executive Director YWCA Great Falls

Thank you for always providing helpful, inspiring content. It makes this job so much easier knowing we’re not doing it alone!

Emily Mares, AGE of Central Texas

“I just wanted to share with you that opening your email yesterday was exciting moment for us at Eastside Baby Corner (EBC). I am so proud of the work that Christine does for EBC — she is managing our entire annual fund program and doing a fabulous job. I am also grateful for the affordable and accessible support you offer. The classes that Chris has taken with you have been a big part of her growth as a development professional. Thank you for your prompt and thoughtful response when she rea…

Helen Banks Routon, Director of Development & Community Relations

Oh my gosh Pamela, whenever I read something of yours I get all fired up and want to do it all TODAY! Thank you very much for being such a wonderful resource for me!

Jacqueline Normand, www.christianhelp.org

“After we implemented the simple Reply sheet recommended in one of your webinars after just three months we’ve already added 40 new monthly donors! Thanks so much Pam!”

Karen Shannon, Development Coordinator

“I just wanted to thank you again for your help with our Annual Appeal. This year, we almost doubled the amount we have ever received from one appeal. Amazing!”

Pam’s rewrite of our recent annual appeal resulted in a 36% increase in gifts over last year’s. She also worked with us on our follow-up letters and those have already brought in 17 new donors!

Lisa Hambrick, Executive Director

You make it possible for me to get the best of what’s out there in one easy and fun shot every Thursday morning – I just wish I had time to implement everything! Thanks Pam for your weekly words of wisdom.

I just wanted to let you know how useful I found your “Thank You” webinar with Pamela Grow in early December.
I realized how many mistakes we were making in acknowledging our donor’s generosity. The best part was many of Pamela’s suggestions were so easy to implement it didn’t create a big project for us (always a plus).
Thank YOU for offering the webinar – it was one of my faves so far.

Megan R. Hodges

“My Basics & More membership was 100% worth the expense and time invested. After almost a year, it’s becoming second nature for me to write in a donor-centric way. There’s still a long way to go at my new job, but we’re in the process of recovering from years of non-communicative, self-centered, stingy treatment of donors and I can already see lapsed donors coming back, increased interest in volunteering and events, growth in our mailing list, and other positive signs. Thank you!!”

I always seem to come away with a few pearls to inspire me…and kick me into action. thanks!

“Simple Development Systems is AMAZING. I am so glad we signed up for it – it has been an incredible support for me and our Development Associate. We don’t have a senior development person – its just me on top of being executive director, and your program has had JUST the right approach for us. I feel like we are doing things more effectively and efficiently – the webinars, resources, newsletters/emails, it has all been terrific. I am recommending it to other folks right and left!”

Julia R. Wilson, Executive Director, OneJustice

“I wanted to thank you for this course. I wanted to share that for the first time in our five years, we raised over 100K in program revenue and I think it was in large part due to this course and what I implemented. I need to look further, but program revenue for Q42015 was 28.7k. For Q42016 program revenue was 42k! Amazing! I will be back for more learning from you…thank you for serving those of us who feel called to bring hope to the world!”

I love how you do the research for us and post the best of the best. This is a tremendous help for those of us who are a one woman shop and don’t have the time. Thanks!

“Yours is the only newsletter I actually read – thank you!”

“I just wanted to drop you a line and thank you again for providing me with so much needed information. I have learned so much from you, and am so glad I got to meet you at the MNA conference.”

Ginny Dieruf, The Cody Dieruf Benefit Foundation

“I learned so much from you and the Simple Development Systems Membership Program. I highly recommend it for all professional fundraisers.”

Don Capaforte, Director of Volunteer Services, Angel Medical Center

“I’m LOVING the Power of Thank You modules. Being new in my organization, I’ve been wanting to re-vamp thank you letters and going through this e-course is spurring me on to get it done. Thank you for your enthusiastic coaching and for your encouragement to focus on donors!”

“I’ve been working with FSFP to improve our donor communications to help our supporters better understand how vital they are to our mission, and YOU have been such a great help in this endeavor! Not only did you give us fantastic language for our automated thank you, but, over the years, you have provided such great resources and insight, all of which has helped me to do my job better and guide the organizations I’m working for to be more donor-centered.”

Brenna Kupferman, Development Director, Free Speech For People

“Out of all the enews I receive, The Grow Report is the one that I can consistently count on for ah-ha moments.”

You have embarked on a journey of saving lives. On behalf of all those whose lives you will touch … THANK YOU!

Libby

“Simple Development Systems is AMAZING. I am so glad we signed up for it — it has been an incredible support for me and our Development Associate. We don’t have a senior development person — it’s just me on top of being executive director, and your program has had JUST the right approach for us. I feel like we are doing things more effectively and efficiently — the webinars, resources, newsletters/emails, it has all been terrific. I am recommending it to other folks right and left!”

Julia R. Wilson, Executive Director, OneJustice

“Thank you so much for coming to Montana yesterday. I learned so much from you and know I have the power to take this organization in a new direction and your workshop gave me inspiration to really follow through with fundraising efforts.”

“Yours is still the only NPO related newsletter I read each week start to finish. I’m going to join your membership program since it looks like that would be a better investment of my resources than some places I’ve found.”

Reagan

“This is a great course for both novices and old hat fundraisers. Pam brings in the top fundraisers of the day and even if you’ve been fundraising for a long time they will give you new ideas to add to your repertoire. The techniques you will learn will help you not only in your year-end but all year round. I highly recommend this course for anyone who wants to have the opportunity to learn from the best in a condensed and cost-effective way.”

Emily Hewes, Development Director, CEPAD USA

“I think signing up for your Grow Report has been the single most best thing I have done to help me with this job!!!!”

Patti Young, Development Director, HALO-Flight, Inc.

“I treasure the Grow Report and use it in my daily annual fund work!”

“Your webinars, tools and guides are thebomb.com! You’ve definitely helped me and my organization jump-start our fundraising and start putting down the groundwork for more efficient and profitable fundraising.”

Grow Report Subscriber

The idea of a donor ‘welcome kit’ is awesome. I am going to implement MANY things – too many to mention. But I will say that sending out cards for other occasions is genius! How wonderful for donors to get a card on Thanksgiving before the holiday rush. We have a great communication plan and I have a contact strategy, but your WOW calendar gives me a great tool to merge the two. Keep up the good work! Thanks a million for the free book!

Deanna Tharpe, Executive Director, Down Syndrome Affiliates in Action

“I loved this class (Nonprofit Storytelling | The Basics & More)!! Especially the sections on video storytelling, week three mostly. One thing I can and already have put into practice in the importance of making daily phone calls just to say THANK YOU to donors! What a great idea! And already as I plan video stories that I will be filming and interviewing for, I am using the dramatic arc of storytelling that we learned about all the way back in week one. Thank you for this course, it has so man…

Tiffany Hundley, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship

“Your e-book is incredibly helpful. I’ve started going through it and every page is filled with excellent advice and tips. Some of the people you quote, like Ken Burnett I know personally. He has been kind enough to put some of my old work on SOFII, I used to do fundraising and member recruitment for Amnesty and about 17 years ago helped found the Bhopal Medical Appeal.”

Indrah Sinha

I know the business of nonprofits pretty well, then I get “The Grow Report” in my email & I start all over again. Awesome stuff.

Ian Adair, Founder & CEO RE-Fundraising.com

“I am such a fan of what you are doing and your deep knowledge of fundraising. There are thousands of details to getting this work right and you seem to know almost all of them!”

“Based on the excellent advice presented in your Monthly Giving course, we’ve increased our monthly donors by 242% in just 7 months! We’re excited to keep building on this success in the coming school year.”

Simple Development Systems is fantastic! I’m about to be a new ED and I am excited to lead the organization into a new era of donor centric activities.

Michael Faith

“I’m glad I took this course (Monthly Giving | Basics & More) to help me really concentrate on our monthly giving program. It was there but not fully developed.

I did my first monthly giving solicitation in spring 2015 and I followed it up with an e-solicitation. We now have twenty more Virginia History GEMs (Give Every Month) over this time last year.”

Cathy Boe, Virginia Historical Society

“You make it possible for me to get the best of what’s out there in one easy and fun shot every Thursday morning – I just wish I had time to implement everything! Thanks Pam for your weekly words of wisdom.”

“I want to tell you that your programs are head and shoulders above others I’ve taken. Thanks to your Online Fundraising Masterclass, I have practically redesigned our website and communications based on all the valuable information.”

Participant, Online Fundraising Masterclass | Basics & More™

“Your newsletter is still the only one I read top to bottom each week. In fact, in my new job it’s the first thing I read when I get in the office on Thursdays.”

“I’m so ready to go through this course again as it is terrifically timely. I love how the Basics & More™ courses are organized. I always learn and I never feel patronized. I so appreciate you for that, Of course, the knowledge you share is terrific and I love that I can immediately put it into practice.”

Jessica Lloyd-Rogers

Please know you are a big part of our development team here at the Intervale, and we not just achieved but exceeded our community fundraising goals by $24,000 in 2013 thanks for great advice and support from Simple Development Systems!!

Mandy Fischer, Development Manager, Intervale Center

“And this is what I love about the Simple Development Systems membership and your support for us — it makes us believe that we can do it and teaches us how to get started. We’re actually launching our first ever Major Gifts strategy in 2016, and I walked away from that webinar with a concrete plan of action that we are already starting to implement. I LOVED it — so thank you!

When we first joined SDS, it was really just me, as a fundraising CEO. Now we have a team of 4 staff — my time (which…

Julia Wilson, OneJustice

I really appreciate the way you focus on small nonprofits with easy to digest info and tactics. I get really tired of most consultants and nonprofit sector pundits (do we have pundits?) talking and making presentations as if everyone has a full development staff. Thanks.

Clay Myers-Bowman

Thanks for the Grow Report! It’s my favorite source of development information!

Kristen Johnson

Ho! Ho! Ho! It feels like Christmas all over again, Pamela. I am now holding a printed copy of a 57 page book packed with information about donor cultivation. This is supposed to be one of my “specialties” in the little pond in which I reside, but in just flipping through the book as it was printing, I saw several ideas that had not crossed my mind.
I am reading and marking up the book tonight, so I can get started using your ideas tomorrow.

“As the new Associate Director of Development at a not-for-profit senior retirement community, I was told that year-end giving was almost non-existent therefore, no real effort had been put into a campaign. The rationale was donors were bombarded with requests and we were always at the bottom of their list. Taking cues from Simple Development Systems (I purchased two years ago), I came up with a plan in mid-September and presented to my boss. Her words were, ‘Okay, what do we have to l…

Shelley

THANK YOU for the Grow Report. I love grabbing my cup of coffee to settle in for the BlogRoll and some great insights. It’s my morning awesome sauce!”
“

Johnny Avots-Smith, KVIE Public Television

Last week, I received my first $100,000 gift. I have raised nearly $325,000. My annual appeal was very successful. Using your book, webinars, classes, etc. I am moving forward nicely!

Teri Donaldson, Executive Director, The Futures Foundation

I had great success with the last course I took with you. My first EOY appeal campaign (sent mid December, a 4 page letter and lots of “yous”:) came in 38% higher than the previous year so far! And envelopes are still coming in. Very exciting.

Margo Reveil, Cook Inletkeeper, http://inletkeeper.org/

“I wanted to thank you for this course. I wanted to share that for the first time in our five years, we raised over 100K in program revenue and I think it was in large part due to this course and what I implemented. I need to look further, but program revenue for Q42015 was 28.7k. For Q42016 program revenue was 42k! Amazing! I will be back for more learning from you…thank you for serving those of us who feel called to bring hope to the world!”

Thanks for all the information you continue to share; it’s invaluable to little nonprofits like us.

Lynndah Easterwood Lahey, Executive Director, ETS/NW

You really cut to the “meat” of what it means to be small shop and you “get it” in a way that so many fundraising gurus don’t.

Elizabeth Ettenger, Ravalli County Museum

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Your Key to Sustainable Funding

I wish I’d had your book the day I started. I am 10 months in and feeling overwhelmed and under equipped. I hit the ground running and in retrospect feel I have been both reacting and drifting ever since. Wish I could have the first 100 days back! Second and third 100 too. Your book and toolkit provides some structure and immediate takeaways for me. Thank you!Dorothy
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